On the road (almost) at last!

I have neglected the forum for many months, but just wanted to share the completion of my 'boxes of bits' rebuild. The bike was all but finished last summer, with its first start being delayed by my inability to set the timing correctly - the timing had been set according to the timing marks, only for me to discover that my Maney crank had the keyway slots cut 90 degrees from standard; the deployment of a timing disc quickly resolved the problem! One good clean kick got the old girl going....... and from this point, a whole new set of problems started.

Historic rugby injuries have left me with a right knee joint that is sensitive to hyperextension of any kind and the sort of leg straightening required to get a good 'push through' on the kick start, turns out to be the perfect way to leave me crippled for at least a couple of weeks. Subsequent attempts to start the bike caused exactly this problem and I was left with little choice - either get rid of the bike or fit an electric start. I now live in France, so an Alton seemed the obvious choice. However, after an exchange of emails, they advised that their starter was not suitable for my bike - it is a 920 with Maney cases, crank and camshaft, stage two head and Kehein carbs. I couldn't afford an Old Britts starter and so I was stuck. Then, completely out of the blue, I received a tax rebate from before I retired, which was almost the same value as the cost of the Old Britts starter. I wasn't 100% convinced about the said starter, but I thought sod it, I've already spent a fortune on the bike, I may as well spend this free money to at least give me a chance of a useable bike.

Anyhow, the starter was fitted over the winter and, now that spring has arrived, I have a bike that I can ride. I photographed the installation and, should anyone be interested, will gladly post details of the process - however, as he threatened, it looks as if Fred has stopped producing his starter kit. I have only ridden it for relatively short distances on local roads as it now needs to be French registered and insured - this process is under way and will hopefully take no more than six weeks. I have just dragged the bike out for a ride and took a couple of not very good photos and, if I do it right, they should be shown below.





Can I just reassure you, that the cat in the first photo is not dead, just enjoying the early morning sunshine!

Only a few minor issues remain (I hope) a bit of oil seepage from the head gasket - I am using a composite gasket, so retorqueing should resolve this; occasional jumping out of fourth gear - can't remember if I replaced the detent spring, but will do so and see how it goes; It is running a little rich, surprising, as it is jetted for a standard 850, but i will wait and see how it goes when I can ride a little more aggressively; I have to shave a bit off the starter gear cover to make it fit with the Interstate side panels; I would also like to find a new way of fitting the left side panel - the carbs prevent the use of the original dzus fastener, so I am having to use a nut and bolt which necessitates the removal of the tank to get the panel off. Not ideal, I have fitted the fuse and charger point just under the seat to make life easier but it would be good to have the little bit of storage the side panel offers.

Again, if anyone is interested, I will gladly give a run down of the bikes spec.

First impressions are great. Before I bought the Norton, I ran a Honda VFR 800 for three years and eventually decided I admired the engineering but actually hated the bike - top heavy and soulless. The thing it did best was to fund 'project Norton'. It took a few kilometres to get over the shock of how different it felt from my old Commando - the memory is fading, but I did run her for over 20 years and so I imagine the feel of the bike should have become hard wired (maybe). The exhaust note is wonderful after the anaemic whisper and cam gear clatter of the Honda, more sharp and aggressive than my old 750, but wonderful non the less. The acceleration was probably the biggest shock and quite difficult to stop myself sliding backwards over the shiny seat - I think I will be looking for a trimmer to create a nice stepped one. I've only done 80 kilometres so far so will have to wait before I can discover what performance is there. The front brake is a revelation and is the first set up I have used that I feel true confidence in - maybe not a good thing, but I tried an emergency stop and made the front tyre squeal. I haven't ridden for over seven years and so am still getting back into it but, on first impressions, the handling is sublime. I love the way the Commando feels so light and nimble and how the rider feels a part of the bike - just the opposite of the Honda. I'm sure the Maxton suspension is a major contributory factor, with non of the fork dive I experienced on my old machine.

At the risk of boring everyone I'll leave it there. I'm thrilled, at last, to be out riding and so happy to be on a Commando once again. If I had the cash, I would love to build a completely standard bike to be its stablemate - the best of both worlds maybe?

Very Good .

And just how great is it to be back on a Commando after riding a modern Japanese bike?
The handling of Japanese bikes today is vastly different from what it was back in the early 70's.
They were heavy and wallowed badly. But they have never been able to match a Norton in feel.
Taken them forty years and they still can't get it right.

Doesn't take more than a minute staring at the photos to see so many modifications!

VERY nice bike, the best part being you can ride with relative confidence for years to come.

Matt Spencer said:

Very Good .
might just be being paranoid , but have you done plug checks . If the pipe blueings new it could be polish or sitting still running .
But useually youd bias rich a shade , particularrly running in / with the motor tight . Now thats not a standard colour is it .

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The blueing did concern me a little, and stemmed from its first stationary run before the first retorqueing. It is running a little rich and there appears to be no overheating issues - time will tell on longer runs. The bike was never going to be remotely standard, so I just picked a colour I liked.

phil yates said:

And just how great is it to be back on a Commando after riding a modern Japanese bike?
The handling of Japanese bikes today is vastly different from what it was back in the early 70's.
They were heavy and wallowed badly. But they have never been able to match a Norton in feel.
Taken them forty years and they still can't get it right.

Click to expand...

The great thing is simply wanting to go out and ride, just for the sake of it. The bike is an absolute delight, I'm just annoyed with myself for waiting so long to get a Norton back under my derriere.

Are those the Big bore 1 1/2" pipes from Commandospecialties?

Those are what i have and although i feel they are well made and tuck in particularly well, they do blue up a bit.

I also have a carb with an accelerator pump and although my plugs are a very nice amber, I did adjust the accelerator pump actuation to a shorter stroke and not so much on the bottom. Blipping the throttle at a stop sign or just in the garage will soot up the plugs in a hurry. I cannot say for sure but this may also contibute to dumping fuel to the exhaust.

This is just spectulation but I have had more than one set of these down pipes to blue up in short order.

That being said, I love that bike. Not much Commando on it but all Commando, and i think you know what i mean. That is sort of my style.

Hey phil, nice photos eh?

She looks like a runner for sure and I really like the paint! Have fun dialing her in this summer.

grandpaul said:

Doesn't take more than a minute staring at the photos to see so many modifications!

VERY nice bike, the best part being you can ride with relative confidence for years to come.

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Thank you grandpaul. While I've probably gone over the top, my intention was to build a bike that was sensibly quick, reliable, safe and oil tight. It seems pretty quick, I'll just have to wait on the other three.

pete.v said:

Are those the Big bore 1 1/2" pipes from Commandospecialties?

Those are what i have and although i feel they are well made and tuck in particularly well, they do blue up a bit.

I also have a carb with an accelerator pump and although my plugs are a very nice amber, I did adjust the accelerator pump actuation to a shorter stroke and not so much on the bottom. Blipping the throttle at a stop sign or just in the garage will soot up the plugs in a hurry. I cannot say for sure but this may also contibute to dumping fuel to the exhaust.

This is just spectulation but I have had more than one set of these down pipes to blue up in short order.

That being said, I love that bike. Not much Commando on it but all Commando, and i think you know what i mean. That is sort of my style.

Hey phil, nice photos eh?

Click to expand...

The pipes are 1 1/2", but from RGM - one of my poorer choices I think. They had to be shortened by different amounts, re-bent into shape and sleeved to enable the silencers to be (almost) clamped down. I will replace them at some time.

I like your suggestion regarding the accelerator pump, an avenue I will definitely explore.

Thanks for your comments re the bike. I know exactly what you mean and that was my aim from the start.

Your bike is stunning, I bet you are delighted to be able to ride it now you can start it !
I'm over in France a couple of times a year , next time in September at The French Club Trident rally , it would be good to see your Commando in the flesh.
Bon chance
sam

Lovely bike. I like the spectacular paint choice. It should always stand out from most other bikes in a crowd.

Ken

trident sam said:

Your bike is stunning, I bet you are delighted to be able to ride it now you can start it !
I'm over in France a couple of times a year , next time in September at The French Club Trident rally , it would be good to see your Commando in the flesh.
Bon chance
sam

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Hi Sam, thanks for your comments and you would be more than welcome to pay us a visit and stay over. As they say, France is a big country (compared to GB at least) and so the location of your rally may be a factor - I am located in the Charente, near Ruffec. If you pm me I'll give you my email.

Cheers, Bob

I love your bike. I don't usually care what colour they are however my first Triumph (1954 T110) in about 1959, was that colour and I loved it dearly. I know what you mean about knee injuries. In my early 20s I fell off a mini-bike, and slid up the road. My toe caught the bitumen, and rotated my foot, breaking off the piece of bone in my knee joint which usually limits rotation. I went to the doctor who diagnosed sinovitis without doing an X-ray. I walked on the injury for 3 years then one day ended up in a heap after trying to kick over a hot 1963 Bonneville. Had the knee op, and learned to walk again. I've always run and bump started my bikes after that, however I recently bought a mains electricity operated race starter for $700 - much easier since I've had the heart op.